NEW DELHI, 13 February 2007 — Giving a new thrust to history and culture of Sino-Indian relations, the two countries yesterday opened a hall built in memory of the 7th century Chinese traveler Xuan Zang (Huen Tsang) in Bihar’s Nalanda district. Planned initially in 1957, construction was halted midway as India and China fought a brief war in 1962, which soured their ties for the next three decades. Relics of the ancient traveler, sent by China in 1957, were brought out for display yesterday, but only for the day. They were interred in a special casket at a memorial hall.

As 80 monks chanted Buddhist prayers near Xuan’s bronze statue, visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing and Indian Tourism Minister Ambika Soni cut a ribbon to open the memorial hall. The hall is about a kilometer from the site of partly excavated Nalanda University, which was established in the 5th century.

“Xuan Zang is considered a symbol and an instrument of cultural exchange between the two great civilizations of India and China,” an Indian government statement said.

Describing the traveler’s relics as a symbol of Sino-Indian cordial relations, Li said that it was a matter of great pride for China that they were being displayed. In his address, Li also expressed China’s willingness to invest in the development of sites of Buddhist interest in Bihar.

Li, who arrived here Sunday, attended the inauguration along with Ven Xue Cheng, vice president and secretary general of the Buddhist Association of China, Ye Xiaowen, administrator of the state administration for religious affairs, and a large contingent of Chinese monks. India was represented by Bihar Gov. R.S. Gavai, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Tourism Minister Soni and Indian Center for Cultural Relations Chairman Karan Singh.

Indian and Chinese engineers, artisans and craftsmen had worked together for 45 days to give a unique look to the memorial hall, officials said.

Xuan Zang, known for his 17-year trip to India, was a student of the ancient Nalanda University for five years and taught here for a year. During his trip, Xuan studied with many Buddhist masters, particularly at Nalanda and also helped in spreading teachings of Buddha, the founder of Buddhism. India and China plan to convert Nalanda, the ancient seat of learning, into an international university.

Li and his Indian counterpart, Pranab Mukherjee, will hold discussions in New Delhi today. The two ministers are expected to announce the establishment of a hotline between them, increase in air links and easing of visa requirements.

China is confident that Li’s visit will contribute to narrowing of Sino-India differences on the boundary issue. On this, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said in Beijing: “In line with consensus between two leaders, special representatives on boundary issues of the two sides will intensify their work to seek a fair, rational framework acceptable to both in accordance with the political guiding principle so as to solve the issue in the end.”

Tomorrow, Li will participate in an India-China-Russia trilateral foreign ministers’ meeting. Referring to this, Jiang said: “The cooperation among the three is constructive and transparent, without targeting any third party.” Economic cooperation and exchange of views on international and regional issues of common concern are high on the agenda of this meet, Indian sources said.

While in Delhi, Li will call on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and meet several other Indian leaders.